Lubricating apparatus



May 20 1941- E. w. DAvxs 2,242,288

' LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed sept. 18, 1957 s sheets-sheet i May 2o, 1941.

E. W. DAVIS LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Y x E=AFISZ May 20, 1941. E, w, DAvls LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 il ZZ 62 2 2 A a 2%@ M 2 ,M l,... l i AI.: 2222 ll z L IJ .M l -L 2 3 e .M @y o 2 2 y Patented May 20,1941

LUBRICATIN G APPARATUS yErnest W. Davis, Oak Park, Ill., assignorto Stew- I art-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Virginia I.

Application September 18, 1937, Serial No. 164,463

3 Claims.

a portable dispenser for removing low viscosityV lubricant by suction from a container and dispensing it by pressure under measuring conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic means for preventing loss of lubri cant from the dispenser when the dispenser is in unskilled hands or handled carelessly.

Another object of the invention is toA provide an improved pneumatically operated lubricant dispenser having means for preventing intermixture of air and lubricant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means preventing air from being present in a measured portion of lubricant being dispensed under pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubricant dispenser which is simple in construction and operation, eiiective in its use, and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These being among the objects of the invention, other and further objects will become apparent from the drawings herein, the description relating thereto, and the appended claims, these and other objects being contemplated.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a sectional view of a lubricant dispensing device illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of a portion of a lubricant dispensing device similar to, and illustrating structural modification of, the embodiment shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 illustrates in section another modifica.- tion of a portion lof the invention; and

Fig, 4 is a section similar to Fig. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in further detail, a better understanding of the invention will be had when it is observed that the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 comprises, in general, an oil drum I supporting on the top I2 thereof'a tank I4 which is exposed alternately to vacuum and pressure, so that oil is drawn by (c1. zal-100) suction from the drum III through the tube I6 and past the trap valve I6 when the tank I4 is subjected to lthe vacuum. The oil thus drawn into the tank I4 is expelled through the dispensing conduit 20 under pressure when the tank I4 is subjected to pressure.

More particularly, the tank I4 is made up of a vertically disposed cylindrical wall 22 closed at both ends by upper and lower heads 24 and 26, respectively, welded thereto as at 28, and provided with openings 30 and 32 therein. A hollow float 42 is slidably mounted on a vertical rod 44 within the tank I4 for movement between the openings 30 and'32, and carries on its upper and lower sides valve members 38 and 40 adapted respectively to close said openings, and the head constructions 24 and 26 around the openings being so formed as to provide valve seats 34 and 36, respectively, for the valve members mentioned. When the tank I4 is empty, the lower valve at 36 is closed during'the time the tank I4 is subjected to atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure, but is free to open to admit oil or air therethrough when the tank is at sub-.atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, when the tank I4 is full, the upper valve at 34 is closed by the float during the time vthe tank is subjected to a partial vacuum, and is free to open to admit pressure fluid therethrough when pressure is applied at the opening 30. At all other times, both valves are open since the float 42 is supported at the lubricant level intermediate the two extremities described, and air accidentally present in the line 20 is free to pass to the top of the tank I4, keeping the lubricant dispensed free of air bubbles. Both valves have a large area so that they will respond to differential pressures applied to the opposite sides thereof and easily overcome any tendency to stick, which might otherwise occur if the device were idle for a substantial length of time.

The tank I4 is exposed to the vacuum and iluid pressure already mentioned by means of a conduit 50 leading from the opening 30 at the top of the tank I4 to the compartment 52 in the casing 60, which is located intermediate and exposed to the Venturi action of two spaced nozzles 54 and 56, as more particularly shown in Fig. 2. Both nozzles are threadedly supported in axial alignment in a threadedbore 58 extending throughthe body 60, and their spaced relation is determined by the shoulders 62 on each of them engaging sealing gaskets 64 disposed at each end of the bore 58 in slightly enlarged portions 66 thereof provided therefcr in the 4body 60.

More particularly, one of the nozzles, nozzle 54, constitutes a concentration nozzle connected to a fluid pressure'line 68 and provided with a passageway 10 therethrough leading from the line 88 as restricted at I2 providing a small oriiice to a frusta-conical portion 14 widening towards the inner end of the nozzle. The second nozzle, nozzle 56, constitutes an expansion nozzle provided with a passageway 18 which isaxially aligned with the portion I4 of the rst nozzle and provided with a wide mouth I8 leading into another frusto-conical portion 80 which -is an approximate continuation of the frusto-conical contour of the portion 'I4 in nozzle 54. A hand valve 82 is provided to control the flow of air through the expansion nozzle 56, which, when open, exhausts the expansion nozzle 58 to the atmosphere.

With the opening of the hand valve 82, a ilow of air at high velocity is created through the frusta-conical passages 'I4 and 80 and the compartment 52. This iiow creates in the compartment 52 the partial vacuum which is transmitted to the tank I4 through the conduit 50 as described. Then when the hand valve 82 is closed, the compartment 52, and in turn the tank I4, are exposed directly to the uid pressure of the supply line 68 as supplied tol the compartment by the nozzle 54. Consequently, with the closing and opening of the valve 82, the tank I4 can be subjected to vacuum or pressure at will.

The drum I is provided with a large central opening 84 and a small marginal opening 88 in the top I2 thereof which are bounded by bung rings 88 and 80, respectively, for closure and sealing purposes. A cover 82, fitting over and carried by the top I2 of the drum I0 is also provided with openings 84 and 96 corresponding to the openings in the top I2, and these openings have tubular inserts 88 and |00, which also extend downwardly into the drum. The insert |00 provides a convenient receptacle for the end of the discharge nozzle |02 when the compressor is not in use.

The suction tube I8 extends through the large openings 84 and 94, and being provided with an irregular opening |04 at the bottom end |06 thereof and resting against the bottom I 08 of the drum I0 in a manner permitting the free admission of oil from the drum into the tube I6. The tube I6 is placed in the drum I0 by lowering it vertically through the insert 98 until the lower end |06 rests on the bottom |08 of the drum.

' In this connection, it is well to note that, preferably, the tube lI6 is of such a length as to support on its upper end |I0 the weight of the tank I4 and the parts associated therewith, free of any vertical support afforded by the cap 92 so that such weight may be transmitted directly to the bottom' |08 and there borne by any agency supporting the drum I 0.

To this end, namely the support of the tank I4 and its associated parts, the upper end I I0 of the tube is provided with a radially hanged member I I2, and in addition, the upper face of the flanged member ||2 constitutes the seat element of the valve I8 and carries the valve elements II4 cooperable therewith. A casing I|6 is carried on top of the anged member II2 and the lower head construction 28 of the tank I4 is positioned on top of the casing II8. These three associated members are then secured together as an assembled unit, with suitable sealing gaskets I|8 therebetween, by means of cap screws |20.

The casing ||6 is provided with a central compartment |22 affording communication between the valve I8 andthe openings 32 at the bottom ol the tank I4. Upon one side of the casing II6, is a threaded bore |24 which receives a rod |26 that supports the conduit 50 and associated nozzles 54 and 56, and upon the other side, the casing is provided with another threaded opening |28 leading fromthe compartment |22 and receiving the discharge conduit 20, which in turn terminates in a hand control valve |30 having a nozzle |02 for conveying the lubricant forced from the tank I4 to the place where it is to be used.

From the description of the invention thus far, it will be observed that after a fresh drum I0 is opened and the cap 82 is placed on top thereof, the tube I8 carrying the tank I4 and associated parts is lowered to rest upon the bottom |08 of the drum I0, and the nozzle 54 is connected to the air pressure supply line 68. The valve 82 is then opened. This creates a partial vacuum in the tank I4, as described, of a suilicient degree to draw oil up through the tube I8 past the valves I8 and 38 and into the tank I4. As the tank I4 lls, the oat 42 rises with the level of oil therein until such time as either the valve 82 may be closed, as at a desired calibrated graduation 48 on the gauge glass 46, or until the valve member 38 on top of the iloat is carried by the rising iloat against the seat 34 at the top of the tank I4. Thereafter, no further oil can be drawn from the drum I0, the tank I4 being fully charged, nor can oil escape from the tank VI4 by means of any vacuum continuing to be present in the conduit 50 when the valve 82 is left open inadvertently, as sometimes it will be, for extended lengths of time. In this way, the tank I4 is lled completely with oil without any loss of lubricant.

Then, when the valve 82 is closed, the air pressure in the nozzle 54 is transmitted directly to the tank I4, as already described. The trap valve I8 will close if it has not already done so and the lubricant in the tank I4 will be discharged through the compartment |22 and conduit 20 as controlled by the hand valve assembly |30 until such time as the float 42 drops to a. position where the lower valve 40 thereon comes to rest against the valve seat 36 upon the top of the casing II6. At this point, there will be some oil left in the tank I4, which in conjunction with the closed valve 36 will prevent any air or froth from passing from the tank I4 into the dispensing conduit 20 to disrupt the empirical accuracy of the calibration of the gauge glass graduations. Thereafter, the above described cycle can be repeated at will by again opening the valve 82. The discharge of the tank I4 may, of course, be interrupted at any time by closure of the nozzle valve after the desired quantity of oil has been dispensed.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the construetion shown in Fig. 1 in which the conduit 50 is eliminated and the casing 60 supporting the nozzles 54 and 56 is welded directly on the tank I4 at the top thereof as a permanent part of the head construction 24.

In addition to this, the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 includes a oat 42a made of buoyant material, such as cork,V and the upper and lower surfaces have discs |32 cemented or otherwise secured thereto to serve as valve members for the purpose already described. Also, the casing |I6 is modified slightly in form, as indicated at I|6a, due to the fact that the rod |28 shown in Fig. 1 is no longer needed with this particular embodiment.

Fig. 3 illustrates a structural modification of the casing I |6 and the tube |6. In this particular embodiment, the valve ||4 is positlonedvat the bottom of the tube |6a in a suitable intake housing |34 secured at the lower end thereof, and the vupper end of the tube Isa is threadediy re/ ceived directly into the casing |6b as at |36, the casing I |6b in turn supporting the tank |4 thereon by means of cap screws |20a, which hold together the lower head construction 26 and the casing ||6b with a sealing gasket |38 therebetween. The passageway |40 leading from the the compartment |22a of the casing ||6b to the discharge conduit 20 is otherwise lengthened and the casing ||6b conformed to provide a more compact assembly with the top I2 of the drum I0.

Referring to Fig. 4, the embodiment therein illustrated differs slightly from the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 in the following particulars. An insert 98a and suction tube |6b are permanently secured to the top |42 of a reservoir |44 in sealed relation as at |46and a conduit |50 having a valve |48 interconnects the top 24 of the tank |4 and the top |42 of the reservoir |44. In addition to this, a hose |52 is connected to the reservoir, preferably at the top thereof, with its free end |54 adapted to be inserted into a large storage tank |56 of lubricant through an opening |58 in the top thereof.

The operation of this construction is such that given an empty tank I4 and reservoir |44, the hand valves |48 and 82 are then opened. 'I'he partial vacuum is established in the top of the tank as already explained and this vacuum is transmitted to the reservoir |44 through the pipe |50. This will draw oil from the storage tank |56 through the hose |52 into the reservoir |44 to ll the latter. In the event that the hand valves 82 and |48 are left open after the reservoir |44 and tank |4 are filled, the lubricant rising to the top 24 will raise the float 42a and close the valve 34, thus preventing the escape of lubricant.

When the valves 82 and |48 are closed, the air pressure operates as already described to discharge oil from the tank I4 into the dispensing conduit 20. Thereafter, the tank |4 can be emptied and replenished from the reservoir |44 without further attention to the valve |48 until such time as the reservoir is again empty. Then the sequence of operations already described can be repeated.

The drum l illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 rnay be transported from place to place upon a wheeled cart |60, as controlled by the handle |62, or the reservoir |44 illustrated in Fig. 4 may be provided with swiveled wheels |64 connected at the bottom thereof for movement between the storage tank |56 and the places Where lubricant is to be dispensed.

If desired, the gauge glass 46 may be omitted or disregarded in dispensing lubricant, and a suitable flow meter secured to the discharge conduit adjacent the nozzle |30, in a mannersggv" similar to that disclosed in the co-pending ag'- plication of Joseph Bystricky, Serial No. 87,1'37, filed June 25, 1936. When the dispensing apparatus is thus equipped, the service station attendant may very quickly supply a measured quantity of lubricant to the crank case of an automobile or to any other lubricant receptacle, and he may do this without the necessity of carefully watching the gauge glass. Generally speaking, a lubricant flow meter of the type dis- 75 closed in the aforesaid application of Joseph Bystrlcky will serve as a more accurate and convenient meter than the gauge glass disclosed in this application as the means for metering the lubricant. v\ f From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that an improved lubricant dispensing device is provided in which compressed air is employed both to draw lubricant into a measuring device and to feed klubricant under pressure therefrom, in which loss of lubricant and intermixing of air with the lubricant is pre. vented, so that measuring of the lubricant will be accurate and waste will be prevented.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various and further modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lubricant dispensing device, the combination of a lubricant metering chamber having a lubricant inlet and outlet at the lower end thereof and a pressure fluid inlet and outlet at the upper end thereof, a' source of fluid under pressure, an ejector having its pressure inlet connected to said source and having its subatmospheric inlet connected to the top of said chamber, a manually operable valve in the exhaust passageway of said ejector to control discharge of pressure fluid from said ejector, and float controlled .valve means responsive to the liquid level in said metering chamber to close said pressure fluid inlet and-outlet at the upper end of said chamber when said chamber is substantially full of lubricant, and to close said cornbined inlet and outlet at the lower end of said chamber when the level of the lubricant in said chamber drops below a predetermined level.

2. In a lubricant dispensing apparatus, the combination of a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant measuring chamber, a conduit for conducting lubricant from said reservoir to said chamber, a check valve to prevent flow of lubricant from said chamber to said reservoir, a lubricant discharge conduit connected to the bottom of said measuring chamber, an ejector nozzle having its point of minimum pressure normally in communication with the upper end of said chamber, a source of air pressure connected to the inlet of said ejector nozzle, and a manually operable valve connected to the outlet of said ejector nozzle and effective when open to cause said chamber to be subjected to subatmospheric pressure and when closed to cause said chamber to be subjected to the pressure of said source.

3. A unitary lubricant dispensing apparatus adapted to dispense lubricant from original shipu ping containers comprising a lubricant measuring tank, a pipe secured to the lower end thereof and adapted to extend into the lubricant container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, a

check valve permitting flow of lubricant through said pipe from said container to said measuring tank but preventing flow of lubricant in the reverse direction, a discharge conduit connected to the lower end of sani-measuring tank, a valve at the free end of said discharge conduit for controlling the flow of lubricant from said conduit, an aspirating nozzle secured to the top of said tank and having its suction inlet connected to the upper end of said tank, means to supply air under pressure to the pressure inlet of said aslubricant in said tank is above a. predetermined pix-ating nozzle, a manually operable valve to minimum and to permit communication between control the flow through the outlet of said as.- said aspirating nozzle and said tank when the pirating nozzle, and oat controlled valve means lubricant level in said tank is below a predeteradmitting flow o1' lubricant from said tank to 5 mined maximum height.

said discharge conduit when the level of the ERNEST W, DAVIS, 

